The taxonomy of Minuartia rossii (Caryophyllaceae)

The Minuartia rossii complex, which consists of M. austromontana, M. elegans, and M. rossii s. str., is confined primarily to Arctic–Alpine North America. Previously, the three taxa have been recognized at various taxonomic levels. However morphological, cytological, and phytogeographical data suppo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Botany
Main Authors: Wolf, Steven J., Packer, John G., Denford, Keith E.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1979
Subjects:
Plant Science
Arctic
Yukon
Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Greenland
Wrangel Island
Archipelago
Arctic Archipelago
Minuartia rossii
Spitzbergen
Alaska
Beringia
Siberia
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b79-205
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b79-205
Description
Summary:The Minuartia rossii complex, which consists of M. austromontana, M. elegans, and M. rossii s. str., is confined primarily to Arctic–Alpine North America. Previously, the three taxa have been recognized at various taxonomic levels. However morphological, cytological, and phytogeographical data support the recognition of the taxa at the specific level. The basic chromosome number of the complex is x = 15, with M. rossii having 2n = 58 and 60, M. austromontana 2n = 30, and M. elegans both 2n = 30 and 2n = 60. With respect to reproductive biology, the complex as a whole exhibits pronounced protandry and is gynodioecious; however, M. rossii s. str. rarely flowers and relies almost exclusively on vegetative reproduction via bulbils. The three taxa have distinct geographical distributions: M. rossii. Wrangel Island, high Arctic North America, Greenland, and Spitzbergen; M. elegans. Eastern Siberia, Alaska, the Yukon, and south to Alberta; and M. austromontana, confined primarily to the front ranges of the northern and central Rocky Mountains. This distribution pattern is probably the result of Pleistocene survival of the taxa in three different areas: the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Beringia, and south of the ice. The epithet columbiana frequently applied to the Rocky Mountain taxon is invalid. The name Minuartia austromontana S. J. Wolf et Packer is proposed for this taxon and it is herein described, having never previously been given formal taxonomic recognition.

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